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Young American driver Matt McMurry stepped into a prototype for the very first time this past weekend at the high speed Road America circuit, and despite his total unfamiliarity with the higher downforce cars and substantially higher top speeds, he finished an impressive 6th and 5th in the two races featuring 22 and 21 entries respectively.

“We were so impressed with Matt and how he methodically built speed. He was fast straight away in practice 1 with the eleventh best time, and by practice 3 was fourth fastest, just a second off the track record,” said Brent O’Neil, director of Performance Tech Racing, which runs teams in the Copper Tires Protoype Lites Championship and The American Le Mans Series.

The Amazing Flameless Candle-sponsored entry experienced a fuel pickup issue throughout qualifying, stunting possibilities and leaving McMurry seventh for the start of race 1. He would start fifth for race 2, based on second best qualifying time or best time from race 1.

“Qualifying was disappointing because we had the speed to be somewhere between third or fifth, and to be in a better position for a podium during the races. In a spec series like this one, qualifying position is critical,” said McMurry. “Even so, it was a good experience to have to fight for race positions and work my way forward. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot.”

The 30-minute race 1 was marred by repeated cautions, offering only about five green flag laps. McMurry was passed by an Antonio Downs during a restart, but managed a re-pass up the hill to turn 6, and then passed another competitor later. He made a valiant late brake try on the final corner for 5thplace. But the inside line didn’t provide grunt for the drag race to the checker, and he finished 6th.

In the longer 45-minute race 2, once McMurry shook the cars attacking from behind, he ran down Daniel Goldberg and Mikhail Goikhberg, reducing a 4-second gap to 0.7 at the finish, and putting on quite a show for what was the best battle on the track at the time.

“Most everybody in this series has 20 or more Protoype Lites races under their belts, not to mention experience in The American Le Mans Series and many other top level leagues. For Matt to come in here, run in a car that has much higher speed and downforce than what he’s used to, and to be an immediate podium contender was nothing short of amazing,” added Jonatan Jorge, driver coach for Performance Tech Racing. “He’s just 15 years old.”

McMurry is also competing in his first season of the Cooper Tires U.S. F2000 Championship powered by Mazda, which is part of the Mazda Road to Indy program. He scored his first top 10 finish in the ultra-competitive open wheel series at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course two weekends ago, amidst a field where the average age of drivers is 18 years old. In 2012, he participated in Formula Skip Barber as a 14-year-old and had eight podiums, again against older competition.

American teenager Sean Rayhall further strengthened his place as one of the most talented up-and-coming racers in the nation this past week (September 29-30) by dominating the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship season-finale at Road Atlanta. As part of the prestigious Petit Le Mans event, the 16 year-old racer from Georgia won both Round 13 and 14 from the pole position, setting a new lap record in the process. Making it even more impressive was the fact it was Rayhall’s series debut in the American Le Mans Series development championship.

Rayhall, having captured wins and championships in karting, Skip Barber Racing, SCCA Pro Racing and Legends, embarked on his latest motorsports challenge when he partnered with Comprent Motor Sports for his pro sports car racing debut. Thanks to support from SCCA Enterprises – a reward for winning the 2010 Formula Enterprises Series title – the Georgia native was part of the talented field racers taking part in the Prototype Lites Championship season-finale at Road Atlanta. While Rayhall had previously piloted a Comprent Motor Sports prepared Elan DP02 entry before (winning SCCA races), the Petit Le Mans doubleheader represented the first chance to go against pro racers and teams with lots of experience and skill.

The action at Rayhall’s home track unofficially commenced via a promoter’s day testing, and the highly-rated teenager wasted little time showcasing his skills behind the wheel. Despite focusing on car setup rather than an outright quick lap, Rayhall still managed to top the speedcharts.

When the action officially got underway via two practice runs on Wednesday, the No. 77 SCCA Enterprises/Comprent Motor Sports Elan DP02 remained the car to beat, as Rayhall was nearly a second faster than his nearest pursuer in both sessions.

Given Rayhall’s performance in the sessions prior to the lone qualifying run, everyone expected the 2011 Legends racing standout to challenge for the Round 13 pole position. Rayhall promptly met everyone’s expectations, posting a lap of 1:19.836 – four tenths faster than the next fastest driver – to secure the P1 starting spot for his inaugural Prototype Lites Championship race.

Returning to the cockpit of his Comprent Motor Sports racing steed a short time later for race one of the Road Atlanta doubleheader, Rayhall proved to be in a class of his own. Not only did the 16 year-old immediately pull away from the rest of the field when the green flag waved, but he did so once again following a brief full-course caution period. In the end, he led all 21 laps, scoring a 10-second win in his pro sports car debut.

“The key was to be good on cold tires,” said Rayhall. “The team gave me a great car to be able to do that. There was great competition behind me, with Nunez and my teammate [Jonathan Gore in the No. 14 Comprent car] coming in third, so it was a good podium for us! It’s a great debut for me, with no real moments. But you give it all you’ve got and really push it no matter how big a lead you have. There’s no relaxation out there!”

With the grid for Round 14 set by each driver’s fastest lap in race one, Rayhall once again was at the head of the field when the green flag waved for race two on Friday morning. This time however Rayhall had to fight for top honors. With a fellow teenage racer providing the opposition, Rayhall diced for the lead lap after lap, regularly swapping first place. In what was a thrilling battle, the win came down to the final few corners. Rayhall, having executed a bold outside pass in turn 10 with two laps to go, ultimately emerged with both a second consecutive win from the pole and a new race lap record of 1:19.434.

“Wild is an understatement,” said Rayhall. “It was controlled chaos. But it was a lot of fun. Tristan gave me a run today. Comprent gave me a great car, though I was having problems with the RPMs that affected my shifting. But it’s all about how you bounce back, and we bounced back hard today! It was a great debut for me. It was great racing against Tristan. I can’t wait to race with him again like that!”

Rayhall will now take a brief break to soak up his impressive pro sports car debut, before returning to the highly-competitive action in the Legends ranks. Next up is the 20th Annual Asphalt Nationals on October 28-29, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 16 year-old star enters the event with the Charlotte Summer Shoot Out, Atlanta Thursday Thunder, and Legends Winter Nationals titles already on his resume this season.

Additional information on Sean Rayhall can be obtained from his website @ http://www.seanrayhall.com/ For direct contact and to inquire about supporting this fast rising motorsports star, please contact Charles Rayhall @ charlesrayhall@yahoo.com

Local team Comprent Motor Sports, based just 1 hour from the Road Atlanta circuit in Athens Georgia, might have a home track advantage this weekend. And they’re once again looking to be hometown heroes.

Team owner Kevin Kloepfer and Comprent have much experience and knowledge to draw upon for this weekend.

“For over 20 years we have existed and spent more time at Road Atlanta than any other circuit. Last year we were the hometown heroes; all but clinching the 2008 IMSA Lites 1 Championship when Jonathan Goring took out both races from pole. After that we only needed 1 point for the Championship in Monterey.”

Comprent’s Australian driver Tom Drewer is somewhat a ‘local’ too. He has made Georgia his US base for the past two years, this season staying near the Comprent team in downtown Athens.

He also shared success last year taking out the IMSA Lites 2 Championship at Road Atlanta, scoring his seventh and eighth wins of the season.

Charlie Shears will be another one to look out for this week. He missed earlier rounds due to illness and the birth of a child but returned in style at Lime Rock to score Comprent’s maiden 2nd place of the season.

Teammate Jonathan Gore is expected to make his return after missing Canada due to illness. Last year Jonathan scored one of his best finishes of the season at Road Atlanta with 2nd place in race 2. Furthermore, he leads Comprent’s 2009 podium tally with 3 third places and recently showed he had what it takes when he took the fastest lap of race one at Lime Rock to qualify on pole for race two.

The father and son due of Wayne and David Ducote will also make their return after missing Canada. Son David has just completed a two day test with Comprent at Road Atlanta and set impressive times in the sweltering heat. He feels “extremely positive coming into this round with a few laps” under his belt.

This week however, it may not be sweltering heat that the drivers feel here in Braselton. Rain still looms over the fast undulating 2.54mile (4km) circuit after Atlanta experienced record downpours over the previous six days.

Comprent Motor Sports and the IMSA Lites are scheduled to hit the track Thursday for Qualifying and Race 1 at 5:20pm and Friday for Race 2 at 12:10pm.

This week Australian Tom Drewer will compete in the final two rounds of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire as part of the 12th Annual Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda 6.

The event held at Road Atlanta, Braselton is effectively Drewer’s home event as he’s been staying in Georgia for the past two years during the racing season.

“My US base has been Georgia for two years now. Both West Races Cars, who I drove for last year, and Comprent Motor Sports are based here and I have been staying in Atlanta and Athens, both only about an hour from the circuit. I guess you could say it’s a home away from home.”

So does the young Le Mans hopeful feel that this gives him a hometown advantage?

“I don’t think so. Although living close to the circuit has allowed me to visit a few race meetings I have been on a very limited budget so it’s not like I’ve done many laps around it. Its not since the start of the year that I have turned a wheel around here. This will only be my fourth or fifth time on the circuit. Most of the guys I am competing against have been driving this place for years.”

However, his lack of experience around the fast undulating 2.54mile (4km) track didn’t sway Drewer last year. From pole position Drewer won his first two races at Road Atlanta setting a new track lap record in the process. It was his 7th and 8th win of the 2008 season and allowed Drewer to wrap up the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship with two rounds remaining.

This year Drewer has moved up a class and is driving a Comprent Motor Sport prepared Élan DP-02 in the Lites 1 category.

“2009 has certainly been more of a rollercoaster than last year. It has in many ways been more of a learning year too, even though 2008 was my first here in America.

I proved in New Jersey I have what it takes. I am focused on finishing the year, here at Road America on another positive note.”

In New Jersey Drewer put his Ubantu Resort sponsored car on pole position with the fastest lap of the weekend and dominated the first half of the race.

“I’m determined to end the season on a high. It’s the best way I can repay all those who are helping me achieve my dreams and goal of becoming Australia’s next Le Mans winner.

I want to use this opportunity to thank everyone who is behind me. Particularly John Trimble and Nichole Jennings from Ubantu Resort, my mother and father for giving up so much, Terry Little and all of my friends, family and fans back home in Australia who share my belief and give up their hard-earned cash to make this happen. We are getting closer.

I am ready to make the next step. Part of my focus this year has been developing into a well-rounded driver.

I have been working on my physical and mental fitness with Gary Daniels and Health Defense. I have tested a GT2 car and have another test announcement to make soon. I am already talking to teams about next year, looking at both GT and prototype drives including the new ALMS Le Mans prototype Challenge class using the Oreca-Courage P2 Formula Le Mans car.

But my focus for this week is Road Atlanta. The Petit Le Mans event is always fantastic. Looks like it may be a wet race week so that could be interesting. It’s an extremely challenging circuit in the dry!”

Drewer and the IMSA Lites are scheduled to hit the track on Tuesday morning for free practise. Official practise takes place Wednesday, Qualifying and Race 1 at 5:20pm Thursday and Race 2 at 12:10pm Friday.

Tom Drewer couldn’t replicate the success of last year during this year’s Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport for Rounds 11 & 12 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship.

2008 was Drewer’s first race at the famous Canadian circuit and he marked the occasion winning the IMSA Lites 2 category. This year driving in IMSA Lites 1, the up-and-coming Australian had what he described as a ‘lack-lustre’ weekend for both himself and the Comprent team despite demon passes and tough, hard-fought races.

“2009 has certainly been more of a rollercoaster ride than last year. We made a good progression and peaked with taking pole position at New Jersey, and although I’ve been up the pointy end of the field and consistently collecting points we just haven’t been able to convert into podiums yet.

I came to Canada looking to put all the drama of Road America – where I got incorrectly black flagged – behind me. But it just seemed the team; both my teammate and I struggled to find the pace all weekend, especially straight-line speed.

As usual it was another fantastic event at Mosport and the Canadians came out in droves despite the weather that turned from high heat to rainstorms all weekend long. I think my highlight was letting a few lucky young race fans get a thrill by taking a seat in the Number 1 Ubantu Resort car for photos.”

Drewer started Round 11 in tenth position after qualifying was abandoned due to heavy fog on the high-speed 2.5mile (4km), 10-corner track located 1 hour east of Toronto, near Bowmanville Ontario.

“Both Charlie (Shears) and I were dealt a bit of a blow when qualifying was aborted. We had both been working away during the practice sessions, collecting data to pool for qualifying, rather than get outright times so we stared down the order.

I made a fantastic start though and immediately passed (Anthony) Nicolosi to be right behind my teammate. We duelled it out for a few laps. Charlie wasn’t giving me an inch, and I didn’t give him an inch back. I felt I was faster and pounced when he pressured (Gary) Gibson going into Turn 2 and they both ran wide, with Gibson running off and hitting the wall.

After the restart I pushed on and caught Antonio Downs. As I was catching him he had a bit of a moment but heading through Turn 8 his car was at full speed. Into 9, Antonio just checked up and I had nowhere to go. I know Antonio well and I think he must have had a problem; he wouldn’t do anything on purpose. It was just one of those things.

I avoided major contact with him but locked up the rears in the process and the car spun into the wall breaking the rear hub. It was a shame because we were on for another top 6 finish.”

Round 11 was won by Matt Downs. Round 12, won by Canadian local Kyle Marcelli, saw Drewer start in 9th, one position behind his teammate Charlie Shears.

“Again, I got off to another strong start and battled pretty hard with my team-mate and passed him before getting stuck behind (Johnny) Meriggi. He was so slow through Turn 2, but if you try anything on there you’ll be in the wall, and he blocked me heading into Three. I made quite a few solid attempts to pass him both in Three and Five and each time he just moved over and forced me off the road. I was quite surprised he didn’t get penalised for blocking, actually.

Due to one of those attempts I lost momentum out of Five and Charlie and Nicolosi got passed me. But I quickly redeemed myself, making an awesome move through Turn 3 to take Charlie on the inside and Meriggi on the outside. Meriggi then immediately started blocking Charlie and I guess Charlie got sick of that and put him into the wall at Three to bring out a full course yellow.

With two to go the race was restarted and coming up the back straight for the last time I passed Nicolosi to take the flag in eighth. It was a good, tough race but a pretty lack-lustre result.

I guess I can just take comfort in the fact I out raced my teammate in both races. In a situation where the team doesn’t have the pace that is all you can hope for. Regardless, a potential 6th and 8th weren’t the results I was looking for. I am still looking for my first podium of the season.

Comprent is a fantastic team who knows how to win and we know the Ubantu Resort car can be fast as we proved at New Jersey. I know the guys will put in the hard yards to get back at the front, and so will I. We are testing at Road Atlanta before the next race and, although I won’t be driving due to budget, I’ll be up there too learning as much as I can from the sidelines to make sure I’m as prepared as I can be for the season finale at the Petit Le Mans event.”

The last two rounds of the 2009 IMSA Lites presented by Frisby Performance Tire season will be held at the Petit Le Mans event at Road Atlanta on Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25.

19-year old up and coming racing driver Kyle Marcelli won the hearts of over 40,000 fans as he raced the #37 Intersport Racing entry to victory lane in round 12 of the IMSA Lites Championship this past weekend at the Mobile 1 Grand Prix of Mosport.

“It was an emotional win” said Marcelli. “My dad and I used to sit each year atop of corner two watching the American LeMans Series cars and Canadian Ron Fellows race by, for me to be apart of the events this weekend in front of my home crowd and win meant a lot.”

Starting third on the inside of row two for round 11, Marcelli quickly overtook for second position. Pressuring for the lead lap after lap Marcelli attempted an outside pass in turn five, however minor contact was made resulting in Marcelli falling to 11th. One lap later the race was under a full course yellow. Under caution for 3 laps the race resumed with Marcelli sitting P11 and only 15 minutes remaining in the race. Marcelli arguably put on the show of the weekend. Overtaking for position in places never even thought of, the young Canadian raced his way from P11 to P2 crossing the stripe only 0.731 behind the leader. “I needed just one more lap” Said Marcelli who set fast lap of the race by over 0.6 tenths of a second.

“The Intersport Racing squad had the car hooked up today. It’s unfortunate that I had to race through the pack because today was our race to win. Nonetheless, it was a good show for the fans and spectators and we will just have to do it tomorrow.” Marcelli said in a post race interview.

It was Sundays feature race, round 12 of the IMSA Lites Championship presented by Hankook, a feeder to the American LeMans Series that Intersport Racings up and coming driver Kyle Marcelli raced to victory lane. “Talk about pressure” Marcelli said. After opening up about a 3 second lead, a caution came out with 7 minutes left in the race and it was nose to tail for a famous green, white checkered. Marcelli got off to a clean start and raced around the 2.5 mile circuit to victory lane.

“Kyle drove outstanding all weekend, to work his way through the field in Saturday’s race on a track so high speed and minimal braking such as Mosport and to win on Sunday it shows a lot. We were clearly the car to beat all week. It was great for Kyle to be victorious in front of his home crowd and all his sponsors. We are really looking forward to taking Kyle to the next level.” Said Intersport Racing’s Team Manager Brian Alder

Kyle would like to thank Lafarge, GP Masonry and Landscaping Supplies, Brown Window Corp, Barrie Trim and Mouldings, Alpinestars, The Robert Simpson Brewing Company, Simplepay.ca and Intersport Racing for there continued support.

Young Australian driver Tom Drewer heads to the world famous Mosport circuit this weekend for Rounds 11 & 12 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire, as part of the American Le Mans Series Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport, August 27-30.

Drewer can’t wait to hit the high-speed 2.5mile (4km), 10-corner track located 1 hour east of Toronto, near Bowmanville Ontario. After all, it is one of the fastest of the season, with Drewer expecting his Ubantu Resort Élan DP-02 prototype to average over 116mph (185km/h) and reach a maximum of 145mph (235 km/h).

“A year ago I won my first ever race at Mosport. It was my first race in Canada, and my first time driving the circuit, so it’s a very special place for me.”

In 2008 Drewer won the Lites 2 class after starting from pole position (in class). It was his 6th race win of the season and he went on to claim the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship with ten wins from twelve starts.

This year Drewer has stepped up to the faster Lites 1 cars, and while he has adapted to the car quickly and has been a consistent front-runner, it hasn’t been the ‘dream-run’ he had last year.

“I think we’ve really made a steady progression this year and then in New Jersey I showed I have what it takes. We put the car on pole for Race 2, with the fastest Lites 1 lap of the weekend, and led half the race.

But I guess lady luck hasn’t been on my side this year. In the end we could only manage fourth in Jersey and then blistered tires kept us off the podium again at Lime Rock. The last rounds at Road America were a complete disaster. I was incorrectly issued a black flag by race control, which we had to obey. That ruined the whole weekend, costing me finishing position in race 1, starting position in race 2 and valuable championship points. We should be 4th or a solid 5th in the Championship. Now we’re 7th.”

The hardship isn’t getting Drewer down though. He’s focused on his dream and working harder than ever to achieve his goals of following in the footsteps of fellow countryman David Brabham in becoming Australia’s next Le Mans Series driver and Le Mans 24 Hour winner.

“I’m living my dream, racing here in North America. It has been a lot of sacrifice to get to this point. I’ve given up everything I own, and left everything behind to come here. A lot of people back home (in Australia), my family, supporters and sponsors are giving up a lot too. It’s a big effort.

2008 was an amazing first year over here. A bit of bad luck this year is nothing to worry about. That’s motor racing. For sure it’s frustrating, but with my new sponsor Ubantu Resort I’m determined to hold a trophy up high this weekend. That’s what I’m focused on.

I’m working hard off the track to finish the season strongly and make the progression to ALMS, or potentially GrandAm, GT or prototypes next year. Gary Daniels of Health Defence is conditioning me for long stints in endurance races. I’m working on my mental game too, and seeking sponsorship partners for next year.

I must say I’m really excited by the announcement of the Le Mans Prototype Challenge class (LMPC) for the ALMS next year. It is certainly one of the options I’m investigating.

Last year Mosport delivered my first win in Canada. Hopefully this year it can deliver my first win in Lites 1, and the first win for my Comprent Motor Sports team. The atmosphere is always amazing at Mosport and the track is as ballsy as they come. I can’t wait.”

Tom Drewer and his Ubantu Resort Élan DP-02 will hit the track tomorrow morning, Thursday, August 27 for the first of two test sessions. Official practice gets underway Friday. Qualifying will be held on Saturday along with Round 11 at 6.35pm. Round 12 will be held directly before the American Le Mans Series Race at 1:30pm on Sunday, August 30.

Athens Georgia based Comprent Motor Sport travel north of the boarder this week to Canada’s world famous Mosport circuit, Bowmanville, Ontario for the American Le Mans Series Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport, August 27-30.

Under the guidance of owner Kevin Kloepfer the reigning IMSA Lites 1 Team Champions will field three Élan DP-02s for Americans Jonathan Gore and Charlie Shears and Australian Tom Drewer to compete in Rounds 11 & 12 of the 2009 IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire.

It was at Mosport last year that the team began to wrap up both the 2008 Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships. With Jonathan Goring at the wheel, Comprent dominated the weekend taking pole position, both race wins and setting a new track lap record.

This year Comprent are looking to Canada to provide the first win of the season while all three drivers, Jonathan, Charlie and Tom are looking to make Comprent’s first their own. Each has shown they have the pace to take that top step of the podium at Mosport.

Australian Tom Drewer knows what it takes to win at Mosport. Last year Tom won his first ever race at the circuit, and indeed in Canada, in the Lites 2 class. After going on to claim the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Championship this year he has made the step up to Lites 1.

Drewer quickly came to grips with the Lites 1 car and in New Jersey qualified on pole position for Race 2 with the fastest lap of the weekend. He dominated the first half of the race and was unlucky to finish just of the podium. Tom headed into the last race weekend at Road America equal fifth in the championship. However an incorrectly issued black flag effectively ruined both races and he now sits seventh in points.

“I won my first ever race in Canada last year, and this year I looking for my first win in Lites 1. I have put all the drama and devastation of Road America behind me and I’m focused forward. With my new sponsor Ubantu Resort, I’m determined to hold a trophy up high this weekend. The atmosphere is always amazing at Mosport and the track is as ballsy as they come. I can’t wait.”

Teammate Jonathan Gore is hoping to continue his streak of solid performances. Jonathan is leading the team’s podium count this year with three to his name. He placed third at Miller Motorsports Park Utah, Lime Rock Connecticut and Road America Wisconsin.

At Lime Rock Gore took the fastest lap of Race 1 and pole position for Race 2 before a coming together with a lapped car finished his race. At the last round, Race 2 at Road America, Gore again leaped to the lead in Turn 1 before slipping back. He’s hoping to stay up the front in Canada. Continues…

“I’ve really stepped up this year, driving for Comprent Motor Sport. From Utah I have been up the front. Road America is a very fast, flowing circuit. I showed good pace there, and showed yet again I can run up the front. Mosport is similar and I expect the Foretravel Motorcoach car to continue to be right up there.”

Charlie Shears was one step away from a win at Lime Rock, taking Comprent’s only second position for the year in Round 8. Charlie looked like he would equal that performance in Round 10 at Road America. Running strong up the pointy end of the field, and on for a certain podium position, an axle broke on the US Builders car.

Last year Charlie Shears finished strongly at Mosport. In Race 1 he finished just off the podium in fourth position. This year Charlie is looking to finish on it.

“After missing a couple of rounds the Championship I was ecstatic to be back up the front on my return at Lime Rock. I couldn’t believe it when the axle broke at Road America. That was complete disaster, but just something you can’t prepare for. I ran strongly in Canada last year and I know Kenny and the Comprent boys will again give me a car capable of winning. I know Jonathan and Tom want Comprent’s first win, but they’re going to have it tough because I want it too.”

Charlie Sears, Jonathan Gore and Tom Drewer will first head out on the 2.5mile, 10 corner Mosport circuit on Thursday morning for the first of two test sessions. Official practice gets underway Friday. Qualifying will be held on Saturday along with Round 11 at 6.35pm. Round 12 will be held directly before the American Le Mans Series Race at 1:30pm on Sunday, August 30.

With Charlie Shears, Jonathan Gore and Tom Drewer all hovering around the front of the IMSA Lites 1 field in prior rounds, Comprent Motor Sport is looking to finally convert its pace into race wins at Road America for this weekend’s Time Warner Road Race Showcase featuring the American Le Mans Series.

The Athens, Georgia based team will field five cars for Rounds 7 & 8 of the IMSA Lites Championship presented by Frisby Performance Tire with season regulars Charlie Shears (Houston, TX), Jonathan Gore (Franklin, TN) and Tom Drewer (Adelaide, AUS) once again being joined by father and son duo David (Houston, TX) and Wayne (New Orleans, LA) Ducote in their Park One / Waskey Bridges sponsored cars.

“We all have a single focus this weekend, to win,” said team owner Kevin Kloepfer.

“Over the last two events we have proven we have the speed. Tom Drewer set the fastest time of the weekend in New Jersey to claim pole and led half of Sunday’s race.

Then we went to Lime Rock where Jonathan Gore (Foretravel Motorcoach car) was fastest in the wet session, and followed that up with a podium and fastest lap in Race 1, putting him on pole for Race 2. Unfortunately he tangled with David but regardless he proved the point.

Charlie Shears (US Builders car) came back with vengeance at Lime Rock after missing Utah and Jersey to claim his first podium with a strong second position. The Ducote’s are improving their pace all the time.

Sure Jonathan and Tom have to think about Championship points given they’re sitting 4th and 5th (consecutively) but we’re all going for the win. Everyone has equal equipment and equal resources. We know we can win. We won the Championship last year. I want all of them fighting for the win. Hopefully that’s what we’ll see this weekend.”

Australian Tom Drewer, the 2008 IMSA Lites 2 Champion, will sport new livery for Road America. Replacing the Daily Planet (an iconic Gentleman’s club located in Melbourne, Australia) is a new venture called Ubantu Resort.

Ubantu Resort is a fully integrated residential and hotel development in South East Asia on a subtropical Indonesian island that has had minimal western influence, with a climate similar to Bali and Phuket. The self-sustaining, socially and environmentally responsible facility will work with, and benefit, the local community and will feature 5 international hotels, a super-yacht harbour and unique motor racing circuit.

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